March 15 Lecture Celebrates UC Exchange Program With Japan's Chiba University

Expanding a fruitful academic and cultural partnership that stretches halfway around the world can start with a single conversation—or even a lecture.  

This month, the McMicken College of Arts and Sciences’ Asian Studies Program celebrates its transcontinental partnership with Chiba University in Japan with a lecture by distinguished Visiting Professor Rie Kaneoka. Chiba University is the official partner of UC in Japan.

Kaneoka, an associate professor of Japanese Literature in the Faculty of Letters at Chiba University, will speak on “Conceptualizing Deities and Nature in Ancient Japan,” in the Max Kade Center in Old Chemistry on March 15 at 2:30 p.m. 

The relationship between UC and Chiba stretches far beyond the lecture, according to Mikiko Hirayama, associate professor of Asian art history and Director of Asian Studies. Opportunities for students and faculty to engage in cultural exchanges and academic collaborations will only increase as Chiba University establishes a new School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, she said. In honor of the partnership and his commitment to global education.UC President Santa Ono will receive his first honorary doctorate from Chiba University.

This expansion of the existing partnership is extremely significant as Asian Studies is a key player in UC’s Third Century, the latest university-wide strategic plan that includes an emphasis on transformative study abroad experience.

“We are hoping to increase our study-abroad opportunities for students majoring and minoring in Asian Studies,” Hirayama said. “To educate tomorrow’s citizens, we must expand opportunities for global engagement in our curriculum.” While UC students have spent time studying in Japan, Hirayama said the new partnership will encourage more Chiba students to study in Cincinnati. 

“If we want our students to thrive in a global environment, we must be open and committed to attracting students from around the world,” she said. 

Kaneoka’s visit to UC, which started March 1, is the first faculty exchange between the two institutions, but not the last.

In addition to the lecture series, Asian Studies will offer a short-term summer study abroad program to Chiba, led by UC’s Dr. Gergana Ivanova. The program will be open to Chiba University students as well, and will include guest lectures by CU faculty members.  

For more information about the lecture, email Dr. Ivanova.